BIG Brother is about to get bigger.

Swindon Council hopes to increase the amount of CCTV it views live in its base station.

Scenes caught on about 240 CCTV cameras appear live on screen, but some key trouble spots are only recorded and not watched as they happen, including the town centre and Broadgreen.

About another 200 cameras scattered around Swindon currently are not monitored by the base station.

But security manager Mark Stratford wants that to change.

"The more cameras we have the safer people feel," said Mr Stratford. "The cameras are never turned off."

Wyvern Square and the new library will be the next areas to be monitored live.

Three new talking and mobile cameras mean security officers can rapidly move CCTV across Swindon.

Two of the £15,000 cameras are currently in operation on Faringdon Road and Drakes Way.

Mr Stratford wants as many other cameras as possible being monitored by the base station.

"There is nothing in the town centre," he said. "We want them to come on as soon as possible. It is a major project.

"We want any camera owned by the council back here. We want them all monitored 24/7."

Mr Stratford cannot give a timeframe for the expansion of the CCTV monitoring, but says that it will be a gradual process.

He said that cameras in tower block lifts had saved the council thousands of pounds by reducing vandalism.

One of the latest cameras to be added is St Ives Court in Nythe.

Surveillance in Cavendish Square has caused crime to drop.

The number of cameras there has been reduced from 16 to about six.

About 27 screens are on the wall of the base station, showing alternating views of life around Swindon.

"It isn't just about crime," said Mr Stratford.

"It is also to make single females walking around feel safer."

The cameras could also be used to crack down cars parking on double yellow lines said Mr Stratford.